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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī
10.53.1410.53.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.53.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मदच्युद्भ‍िर्गजानीकै: स्यन्दनैर्हेममालिभि: ।

पत्त्यश्वसङ्कुलै: सैन्यै: परीत: कुण्डिनं ययौ ॥ १५ ॥

mada-cyudbhir gajānīkaiḥ

syandanair hema-mālibhiḥ

patty-aśva-saṅkulaiḥ sainyaiḥ

parītaḥ kuṇdīnaṁ yayau

Translation

King Damaghoṣa traveled to Kuṇḍina accompanied by armies of elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains, and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Damaghoṣa Arrives with Military Splendor

  1. 1

    King Damaghoṣa traveled to Kuṇḍina accompanied by armies.

  2. 2

    His forces included elephants exuding mada and chariots hung with golden chains.

  3. 3

    Numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers also accompanied him. The description emphasizes the scale and splendor of his arrival.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Damaghoṣa, the King of Cedi, having also done everything necessary to prepare for his son’s marriage, arrived in Vidarbha. King Bhīṣmaka greeted him properly and gave him a place to stay.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. madaliquid secreted from the forehead
  2. cyudbhiḥexuding
  3. gajaof elephants
  4. anīkaiḥwith hordes
  5. syandanaiḥwith chariots
  6. hemagolden
  7. mālibhiḥdecorated with garlands
  8. pattiwith foot soldiers
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “infantry”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which details help you picture the size of Damaghoṣa’s procession?

Practice

List the four kinds of military forces mentioned in the translation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDamaghoṣa Arrives with Military SplendorThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.53.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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